Theresa Elizabeth Rose McGuinn Hicks

COLUMBIA - Theresa Elizabeth Rose McGuinn Hicks, born April 6, 1929, in Memphis, TN, entered eternal rest peacefully, Wednesday, April 18, 2012. She was predeceased by her husband, William Leon Hicks, two years prior and was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Wade McGuinn and William Henry McGuinn, Esq. She was the last survivor of many siblings. She is survived by her two children, Pamela Hicks Schooler (Robert Edward Schooler), and John Reddick Hicks II, (Lisa McEntire). She was blessed with four grandchildren, Robert James Schooler, William Leon Hicks II, Addison Leigh Hicks and Gracie Elizabeth Hicks, and several nieces and nephews.

She attended schools in Columbia, SC, and spent several years at Good Shepherd with Sisters of Our Lady of Charity in Wheeling, WV. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1951 with an A.B. in education and majored in English and Spanish. She taught at Brookland-Cayce Junior High School, Irmo High School, and Eau Claire High School in Columbia.

After dedicating herself as an educator, she worked for the Employment Security Commission in Charlotte, NC, as a test administrator. She then turned her attention to her passions and talents which included the practice of genealogy, research of any sort, but particularly that of South Carolina History, and authoring books. Pursuing her dreams, she became a professional genealogist and was the founding and charter member of the South Carolina Genealogical Society, where she was an active member for many years. She shared her knowledge of genealogy with others by teaching courses in genealogy at the University of South Carolina through the Continuing Education Division for several years. She also gave numerous lectures to include: the South Carolina Historical Society, Charleston, SC; the National Archives, Washington, DC; the T.V.A Genealogical Society, Huntsville, AL; the Genealogical Congress, New Orleans, LA, and too many others to list. In addition to teaching genealogy, she practiced it incessantly and was sought after by many from all parts of the country and beyond to do professional personal family research.

She also had a passion for English and writing and never failed to fulfill her mission by correcting her family members' grammar when necessary. She was the author of several books including: "South Carolina A Guide For Genealogists, "Saxe Gotha Neighbors," "South Carolina A Guide to Churches," "South Carolina Indians, Indian Traders and Other Ethnic Connections Beginning in 1670,", and many others.

She was active politically as well, serving as chairperson of the East Richland County Public Service District in Columbia. She, with the help of many others, most notably the late Mrs. Irene Nueffer, helped defeat the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution during the 70s. This accomplishment was particularly rewarding for her as it protected women from being subjected to serving on the front line in the military and preserved the sanctity of the family and women's rights.

She enjoyed friends and family, gardening and reading but always searched for ways to put her mind to good use. She did a thorough job of exhausting her intellectual gifts because, as she approached the end, she lost her ability to that for which she was most adept. We suppose you could say that she left nothing in the tank. Though she will be missed, thankfully God took her when He did, for she truly had used up every ounce of intellectual talent He had given her.

A person's life can't be summarized in a page, for it would take a book or two to even begin to expose the substantive and spiritual endeavors of one's life on Earth and any attempt to do so immeasurably superficial. However, the one sentence that our mother frequently said that revealed much about her character and passion was this, "Please don't fight or argue, for life is too short." And it is regardless of how long you live.

The funeral will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, at St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church with the Rev. Paul Stricklin presiding. There will be an interment immediately following in the church cemetery. Flowers are welcome as Theresa loved them, otherwise, memorials may be made to Saint Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church building and grounds fund.

The family wishes to offer special thanks to Dr. Vaughn Barnick and Dr. Jack Gotlieb for their wonderful and compassionate medical care over the years. Also, a special mention of gratitude to Marie and Leola of RetirEase and to the staff at Tidewater Hospice. Finally, we extend heartfelt appreciation to all of the staff at The Atria Forest Drive, one of the most impressive assisted living retirement communities we have seen.